VOL 5 Thursday 19 March 2020

TERM DATES 2020

TERM 1 29th January - 27th March

TERM 2 14th April - 26th June

TERM 3 13th July - 18th September

TERM 4 5th October - 18th December

Seymour College School Wide Positive Behaviour

At Seymour College:

“I will enter the classroom in a calm manner, ready to learn.”

Seymour College acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their elders, past and present.

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday 20th March

Curriculum Day Pupil Free

Tuesday 24th March

Student Led Conferences

CANCELLED

Wednesday 25th March Catch up Photos

Friday 27th March

Parents & Friends Meeting 9.30am

Friday 27th March

Last Day Term 1 - 2.30 Finish

Cooking in the Green room!!! Each Monday Students in the green room follow a picture

recipe for cooking. This is a part of our literacy session

where students read a recipe together, follow the

directions and then write about the ingredients they used.

All students are encouraged to try their own cooking and

take the rest home to share with their family.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Welcome to the last newsletter for the term. It has been a successful term with many celebrations around student leadership, investiture, whole college sporting events as well as the showcasing of our new learning facilities. The students who are new to the College have transitioned and are valued members of their learning communities. The past week has also presented challenges and changes to our community and the nation as a whole. The COVID-19 pandemic has been discussed with our students and staff and we have made concerted efforts to focus on personal hygiene habits and understanding the role we play as responsible citizens. I have communicated with our College community as soon as the Department of Education has updated me on the expectations and procedures required to implement to support the community response to COVID-19. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for their understanding as we all learn and adjust to these expectations. After conducting student assemblies this week, it was very pleasing to listen to the factual information that the students could relate. If you are concerned that your child is anxious around the current situation, please contact our Wellbeing Staff on 57711300 or your local General Practitioner. We are continuing to learn and teach at school as well as providing wellbeing support for all students. We are also following our normal procedures around student illness. If your child is feeling unwell, you will be called to collect them. Whilst children are unwell, we do not expect them to be completing homework. If you have decided to self-isolate your child from school, please contact the office on 57711300 to report this. This is very important, as we need to account for every student by 9.30 am every day. The College has been requested to use a specific code on our attendance records if you have decided to self-isolate. As I write, the latest information includes: Victorian schools will remain open, in line with the latest advice from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer. This is

based on the best medical and health advice. No school students or school groups of any size should visit aged care facilities to further protect the elderly

members of our community who are more vulnerable. Please be a responsible citizen and follow the Department of Health and Human Services advice by washing your hands, social distancing and coughing and sneezing into your elbow.

Gail Hardman - Executive Principal

OFFICE HOURS:

8am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday

EMAIL ADDRESS:

seymour.co@education.vic.gov.au

WEBSITE:

www.seymourcollege.vic.edu.au

VCE News Supporting your children in the VCE by psychologist

Andrew Fuller

https://www.theparentswebsite.com.au/andrew-

fuller-how-parents-can-their-vce-student/

SCHOOL UNIFORM

All students are required to wear full

school uniform in accordance with the

Seymour College uniform policy.

College Council Report On Wednesday 18th March we held our College Council Annual General Meeting and our March meeting. It is my pleasure to inform the College community that Tiffany Goodman was re-nominated and has once aging been elected as Council President. I wish Tiffany all the best and know that she will continue to represent your views with passion and integrity.

The Council welcomed back Russell Chapman, Michelle Mussett and Tiffany Goodman. Our new members are Racheal Broughton, Georgia Cannizzo, Anthony Watson, Kar Ting Chong and Jay Ridd.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to retiring members Susan Tennant and Emily Kemp who have both served their two year term. Thank you also to Corey Blades who resigned due to other commitments prior to the end of his term.

Thank you to all our members for your service to our College.

The 2020/2021 College Council consists of:

Gail Hardman – Principal

Parent Members Staff Members Student Members

Community Member

Russell Chapman Gail Hardman – Principal Kar Ting Chong Georgia Cannizzo

Tiffany Goodman – President Racheal Broughton Jay Ridd

Michelle Mussett – Vice President Trish Bulluss

Jonathan Parker Dean Bush

Jason Tarran – Treasurer Christy Rilen

Anthony Tennant – Vice President Derek Rimes

Anthony Watson

Primary News Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope this message finds you well. During this interesting and uncertain time, I just wanted to let you know that school is still open and providing your children with the education they deserve. It is important that we maintain consistency, so please continue as normal.

However, due to the current situation, there are some changes that must be made. We will unfortunately have to cancel both the Easter Hat Parade and the Student Led Conferences. If, however, you wish to have a conversation with your child’s teacher about their current progress, please contact the school and let staff know you wish to be contacted.

Please also remember that Friday 20th March will be a pupil free day.

If you have any questions or wonderings, please let me know. Dean Bush - Assistant Principal

Child Safety Standards – we are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young

people. This is our primary focus of our care and decision-making. Seymour College community has

zero tolerance for child abuse.

Completed by

Nikki Ilbury

Year 9

Still Life

Drawing

Artwork of the week

This year’s Book Fair was again another success. It was run over four mornings and afternoons, with a number of students visiting and purchasing multiple times.

We sold over $1800 in books and our school received approximately $545 in new and exciting titles to top up classroom libraries.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped and assisted in making the Book Fair possible for our students.

To add to the excitement this year, we had a visit from Clifford the Dog and a colouring competition was run. One student from each year level was awarded a $10 voucher to spend at the fair. Congratulations to all students.

Book Fair 2020

DEFENCE SCHOOL MENTOR NEWS

Please let me Know!

So I can support your children.

1. Is your family Posting?

2. Is the defence member deployed or deploying soon?

3. Is your family living MWDU?

Please respond via email.

Defence School Mentor: My contact hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 0830 to 1530.

Please feel free to make contact via the following means

Email: Maryanne.Carroll-keays@education.vic.gov.au Phone: 5771 1300 (School Reception)

The Defence Education Assistance Scheme...

is a government funded initiative. A Defence Force student who has had their education disrupted, due to posting from one location to another, may be eligible to receive up to 14 weeks of tuition. In order to qualify for this initiative an application must be submitted within the first 18 months of arriving in the new posting locality and the tutoring must be completed within this same time frame. For more information contact the .

Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

!!! Photos Wanted !!! As part of our school ANZAC ceremony I would like to do an electronic photo display

of past and present serving defence members connected to our school community.

If you would like to participate please forward a copy of the photo via email.

Year 12 Physics excursion to Luna Park On Friday 6th March, the Year 12

Physics class went to Luna Park.

The purpose of this excursion was

to record data of acceleration that

they then analysed during their

assessment on the topic of

motion. Students have been

studying circular motion, energy

transformations, projectile

motion, and forces. Fortunately no

students got motion-sick from the

rides, although it poured with rain

just as we left the park

– perfect timing!

Bernadette Young

Today our school nurse came into our 5/6 class to show us how to wash hands effectively. She used a special light and hand cleanser to highlight the amount of dirt left on hands even after washing with soap. We were amazed that even after two washes, our hands were still showing dirt.

Grade 5 & 6 News

Recently, Kayla Clarke Reardon brought in her two Jack Russell puppies, Brock and Jupiter. This was a great opportunity for some social and emotional learning. It brought out a lot of empathy, gentle and kind interactions between the students and puppies and each other.

Kylie Doyle

Grade 5/6 Teacher

Our Place would like to thank all of the families and community

members who came along to the Seymour Family & Children's

Centre and Seymour College Community Open Day last week. It

was a great turnout and a wonderful way to introduce the local

community to all of the great things happening in this part of town.

A huge thank you also to all the staff and students who got

involved! We look forward to the next one.

Seymour Family & Children’s Centre

ABOVE: Miriam, Georgia and Louis prepare light refreshments for the open day guests.

COVID-19 Information.

Social distancing is important because COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:

direct close contact with a person while they are infectious or in the 24 hours before their symptoms appeared

close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes, or

touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

So, the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.

Social distancing in schools

To reduce the spread of germs in schools.

If your child is sick, do not send them to school (or childcare)

Sanitise hands when entering school and at regular intervals

Defer activities that lead to mixing between classes and years

Avoid queuing and consider cancelling school assemblies

Promote a regular handwashing schedule

Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly

Conduct lessons outdoors where possible

Consider opening windows and adjusting conditioning for more ventilation

Promote strictest hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts

Kirsty Hare RN

Seymour College

TERM CALENDAR – IMPORTANT DATES

WEEK 2 Monday 20th – Friday 24th April

Monday 20th

Tuesday 21st

Wednesday 22nd

Thursday 23rd

Friday 24th Primary Assembly 2.30 - 3.00 pm

WEEK 8 Monday 16th – Friday 20th March

Monday 16th

Tuesday 17th

Wednesday 18th

Thursday 19th

Friday 20th Curriculum Day - Pupil Free

WEEK 1 Monday 14th – Friday 17th April

Monday 13th Easter Monday

Tuesday 14th First Day Term 2

Wednesday 15th

Thursday 16th

Friday 17th Primary Assembly 2.30 - 3.00 pm

Term 1 2020

WEEK 9 Monday 23rd March – Friday 27th March

Monday 23rd

Tuesday 24th Student Led Conferences CANCELLED

Wednesday 25th Catch up photos

Healesville Sanctuary Excursion - Year 12 CANCELLED

Thursday 26th

Friday 27th Last Day Term 1 - 2.30 Finish

Term 2

Information for schools and early childhood centres, students and their parents – Version 7 (06/03/2020) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 1

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Information for schools and early childhood centres, students and their parents People who have returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk for COVID-19 should monitor their health closely. If you develop symptoms including a fever and cough you should isolate yourself immediately and urgently seek medical attention. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the list of at-risk countries.

People who think they may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus should also monitor their health and seek urgent medical attention.

Can students or staff members attend schools and early childhood centres?

Specific requirements are in place for people who have returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk for COVID-19, or think may they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the list of at-risk countries and isolation requirements.

The relevant school or childcare centre should be notified. Students may want to seek alternate arrangements for remote learning keeping in mind the isolation period, provided the person remains well, is a maximum of 14 days.

What does isolate in your home mean? People who need to isolate must stay at home and not attend public places, in particular work, school, childcare or university. Only people they usually live in the household with should be in the home.

Do not see visitors. Where possible, ask others such as friends or family, who are not required to be isolated, to get food or other necessities. If the person in isolation must leave the home or residence, such as to seek medical care, they are instructed to wear a surgical mask if they have one.

What if a student or staff member becomes sick while in isolation? Symptoms include (but are not limited to) fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath. If a student/staff member develops mild symptoms, they must:

• Isolate themselves from others at home and use a separate bathroom if available; • Put on a surgical mask and if they don’t have one, practise good sneeze/cough hygiene; • Practise good hand hygiene; and • Call a doctor or hospital and tell them the recent travel or close contact history.

If they have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing: • Call 000, ask for an ambulance and notify the officers of the recent travel or close contact

history.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 2

If unwell, staff and students should be excluded from attending the school or early childcare centre until they are assessed by their primary care provider. The primary care provider will liaise with the local public health authority to determine when it is safe for them to return to usual activities.

How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus? Practising good sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet

• cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser

• and if unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people).

More information While coronavirus is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness – not coronavirus.

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au

Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

Reduce your risk of coronavirus

To receive this publication in an accessible format email COVID-19@dhhs.vic.gov.auAuthorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.© State of Victoria, March 2020. (2001628_v1)

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirusFind out more

If you are concerned, call the

Coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 (24 hours) Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only

WASH your hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.

TRY not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

COVER your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.

STAY at home if you feel sick. If you take medication make sure you have enough.

PHONE your doctor or the hotline – 1800 675 398 – if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.

CONTINUE healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep.

WEARING a face mask is not necessary if you are well.

BUY an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60% alcohol.